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James D. Canty wasn’t Andrew Hunt’s only victim on May 16, Canty’s family members said in court
yesterday.

Canty’s 9-year-old son can no longer go fishing or play video games with his father. His
4-month-old won’t even have those kinds of memories.

“He had to go to a gravesite to be introduced to his father,” said Christina Carson, 26, the
baby’s mother.Franklin County Common Pleas Judge John P. Bessey listened to those statements and
heard other evidence, then issued his sentence: Hunt will spend 32 years to life in prison.

On Friday, a jury convicted Hunt, 35, of fatally shooting Canty outside 2734 Vida Place on the
Hilltop. Hunt was sitting in an SUV, and the two had argued, according to testimony. When Canty,
27, began walking away, Hunt fired.

Bessey gave Hunt a sentence of 15 years to life for the murder and 13 additional years because
he is a repeat violent offender, used a firearm and fired from a vehicle.

The judge added four years after finding Hunt guilty of using a firearm under conviction for a
violent felony — felonious assault in 1997. Hunt had waived a jury trial on that charge.

In arguing for a stiff sentence, Assistant County Prosecutor David Zeyen listed other prison
sentences that Hunt had served since 1995. He had been in federal prison for a gun conviction just
seven months before he killed Canty.

“There is nothing redeeming to say about (Hunt),” Zeyen said.

Hunt, of S. Ogden Avenue on the Hilltop, did not say anything to the judge in his defense before
sentencing. He indicated through his attorney that he intends to appeal.